Clinton, IA
SERVICE BRAKES
🔑 IGNITION. WINDOW' DRIVER SIDE REMOTE
NHTSA complaint #11344155 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
2007 Saturn ION brake problems
12 of the 1,090 complaints about the 2007 Saturn ION are about the braking system — 1% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 72,500 miles.
12
Complaints
4
Crashes
0
Fires
4
Injuries
Exactly what failed
Service Brakes
7
58.3%
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
3
25.0%
Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
1
8.3%
Rotor
1
8.3%
Brakes across every Saturn ION year
What owners said
Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.
at 153,400 miles
Huntsville, AL
Crash
3 injured
SERVICE BRAKES
I SLIGHTLY WAS GOING OFF THE CURVE TO THE RIGHT I TURNED THE WHEEL TO GET STRAIGHT THE STEERING WENT OUT I LOST CONTROL I MASHED BREAKS AND NOTHING STOPPED THE CAR VEERED TO THE RIGHT CRASHING INTO A UTILITY POLE, FLIPPED AND THE FRONT DRIVER TIRE, HUB AND AXE CAME COMPLETELY OFF IT WAS NOT STRUCK BY THE POLE. I WAS ON A COUNTY ROAD I BE]BELIEVE THAT THE SUSPENSION WENT OUT AS WELL I KNOW THE STEERING DID I HAD NO CONTROL.
NHTSA complaint #11310357 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 69,000 miles
Long Beach, WA
SERVICE BRAKES
ON NOVEMBER 2, 2018, AND AFTER A TWO DAY TRAIN RIDE FROM WASHINGTON, I ARRIVED AT SMITH MOTORS TO INSPECT AND TEST DRIVE A 2007 SATURN ION 3 SEDAN THAT I HAD LOCATED ON CARGURUS.COM. I WAS UNABLE TO LOCATED A CERTIFIED AUTOMOBILE INSPECTOR IN THAT AREA, AND INSPECTING THE VEHICLE IN THE RAIN MADE IT DIFFICULT TO SEE EXTERIOR DAMAGE, AND TEST DRIVING WITH THE DEFOGGER BLASTING CONCEALED THE DEFECT ABOUT WHICH I AM MAKING THIS COMPLAINT. I SPECIFICALLY ASKED THE SALESMAN, CRAIG MANSKE, WHAT IS THE MEANING OF "CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED," AND HE ASSURED ME THAT THE SATURN HAD UNDERGONE A RIGOROUS INSPECTION AND SERVICING OF EQUAL QUALITY. HE LEFT ME IN THE AGGRESSIVE HANDS OF THE CLOSER, SMITH MOTORS'S BUSINESS MANAGER, ROSS KENT. MR. KENT INSISTED THAT I SIGN A FORM ACKNOWLEDGING THAT MY MODIFYING THE VEHICLE OR USING NON-GM PARTS MIGHT VOID THE WARRANTY. I REMINDED HIM THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TWELVE YEARS OLD, HAD SIXTY-NINE THOUSAND MILES ON IT AND WAS UNDENIABLY OUT-OF-WARRANTY. HE MADE MY SIGNATURE A DEAL-BREAKER, SO I GAVE IN BECAUSE OF THE TIME AND EFFORT I HAD EXPENDED IN GETTING MYSELF TO THE DEALERSHIP IN THE FIRST PLACE TO BUY THIS VEHICLE. I DROVE THE CAR BACK TO WASHINGTON, BUT THE STIFF AND SQUEAKY PEDALS ANNOYED ME ENOUGH THAT I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE NEAREST CHEVY, BUICK & GMC DEALERSHIP IN WARRENTON, OR. THAT TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO SILENCE THE SQUEAKY PEDALS WITH THE LITHIUM SPRAY DESIGNED FOR THE TASK. I ENDED UP PAYING $55 IN A SUBSEQUENT ATTEMPT BY ANOTHER TECHNICIAN TO UNSTIFFEN AND SILENCE THE PEDALS, BUT IT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. THE COST TO INSTALL A NEW CLUTCH PEDAL IS PROHIBITIVELY EXPENSIVE, THERE IS NO NEW BRAKE PEDAL AVAILABLE, AND THE MECHANIC DID NOT RECOMMEND USING A SALVAGE PEDAL. MY REQUEST FOR REIMBURSEMENT FROM SMITH MOTORS, INC. WAS DENIED BY CONTROLLER, CARLA SHEELEY, WHO INSISTED IT WAS SOLD "AS IS."
NHTSA complaint #11154811 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 43,000 miles
Maricopa, CA
Crash
1 injured
SERVICE BRAKES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 SATURN ION. IN OCTOBER OF 2016, WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS SUDDENLY DEPRESSED. HOWEVER, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF A VEHICLE AND, IN TURN, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO INJURIES SUSTAINED. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED TO DIAGNOSE AND REPAIR THE AIR BAG FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. IN DECEMBER OF 2017, WHILE DRIVING AT UNKNOWN SPEEDS, A PICK-UP TRUCK CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE RIGHT KNEE, WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT AUTO BODY MECHANIC, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE LOCAL DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 43,000. ADDITIONALLY, WHILE DRIVING, THE STEERING SEIZED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN UNKNOWN LOCAL GMC DEALER IN BAKERSFIELD, CALIFORNIA WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE LOCKING SYSTEM AND IGNITION KEY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #11099248 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 99,000 miles
Salisbury, NC
SERVICE BRAKES
EVER SINCE I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE IN OCTOBER I'VE BEEN HAVING TROUBLE & ITS ONLY JANUARY I'VE HAD A FUEL LEAK AND HAD TO REPLACE IT I'VE HAD BAD STRUTS HAD TO REPLACE IT BAD ALTERNATOR REPLACED IT BAD BATTERY REPLACED IT BAD BRAKES & ROTORS & I REPLACED IT. IT'S JUST A HORRIBLE CAR AND I WISH I HAD SPENT MY MONEY ELSE WHERE IS IT POSSIBLE THAT I TRADE IN THIS CAR FOR SOMETHING THE SAME VALUE I AM VERY UNSATISFIED WITH THIS CAR.
NHTSA complaint #10822719 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 76,000 miles
Indiannapolis, IN
Crash
1 injured
SERVICE BRAKES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 SATURN ION. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO AVOID A VEHICLE THAT WAS STOPPED IN THE ROADWAY, THE IGNITION KEY BECAME JARRED AND MOVED TO THE OFF POSITION, WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STALL WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO SWITCH LANES; HOWEVER, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND THE BRAKES FAILED TO FUNCTION WHEN THE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF THE PARKED VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THERE WAS NO POLICE REPORT FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE NECK, SHOULDER, AND LOWER BACK THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14E021000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER TO BE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 76,000.
NHTSA complaint #10809556 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 200,000 miles
Montgomery, AL
SERVICE BRAKES
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED TO THE FLOORBOARD AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP. IN ADDITION, THE COOLANT WARNING LIGHT CONTINUOUSLY ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.
NHTSA complaint #10693297 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NEW Braunfels, TX
Crash
1 injured
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
2007 SATURN ION. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO IGNITION SWITCH RECALL NOTICE. *SMD THE CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN A ONE-CAR ACCIDENT ON DECEMBER 13, 2013, TOTALING THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER STATED A VEHICLE IN FRONT OF HER BRAKED, SO SHE BRAKED. HOWEVER, THE CONSUMER HYDROPLANED AND HIT A WIRE FENCE IN THE MIDDLE OF 2 HIGHWAYS. IT TORE THE BUMPERS OFF THE VEHICLE, DAMAGED THE FRONT AND REAR WINDOWS, AND SLICED THE TIRED. THERE WAS A LARGE DENT ON TOP OF THE VEHICLE. EVEN AFTER ALL OF THE DAMAGE, THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONSUMER WAS INJURED. THE CONSUMER STATED THE KEY WAS IN THE IGNITION SWITCH. HOWEVER, IT WAS ALREADY IN THE OFF POSITION. ALSO, PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT, THE BRAKES WOULD GO ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. HOWEVER, THE DEALER WAS NEVER ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10583798 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 103,000 miles
Roanoke, VA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 SATURN ION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN OVERPOWERING ODOR OF GASOLINE PRESENT INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE FUEL PUMP WAS FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED HIM THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 12V459000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP). THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOR THE FUEL PUMP. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 103,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 104,000. THE CONSUMER STATED ALMOST IMMEDIATELY AFTER HE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE, HE STARTED HAVING PROBLEM PERIODICALLY WHEN HE APPLIED THE BRAKE. THE BRAKES WOULD VIBRATE STRONGLY AND HE WOULD HAVE TO PRESS THE FOOT BRAKE DOWN ALL THE WAY TO GET THE VEHICLE TO STOP. THERE WOULD BE A BRIEF DELAY IN THE BRAKES WORKING. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO FIND ANYTHING WRONG. LATER IN JUNE 2008, HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO ANOTHER DEALER TO ASSIST WITH THE PROBLEM. THEY WERE UNABLE T FIND A PROBLEM AS WELL. HE CONTINUED TO HAVE PROBLEMS PERIODICALLY WITH THE BRAKES. A YEAR LATER, THE POWER STEERING STOPPED WORKING. THE CHIMES AND WARNING LIGHTS WOULD COME ON, AND THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD LOCK UP. IT WAS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO MAKE TURNS; ESPECIALLY PARKING. THE CONSUMER STATED HE HAD TO MANUALLY STEER THE VEHICLE. THE ONLY SOLUTION WAS TO TURN OFF THE VEHICLE, AND THE LIGHT WOULD GO OUT. THE PROBLEM WENT ON FOR SEVERAL YEARS, UNTIL THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A LETTER FROM SATURN STATING THE WARRANTY COVERAGE HAD BEEN EXTENDED DUE TO PROBLEMS WITH THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING. THE POWER STEERING WAS FINALLY FIXED. UPDATED 11/08/12 UPDATED 11/26/12 *CN UPDATED 12/3/2012
NHTSA complaint #10480713 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 27,000 miles
Minneapolis, MN
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
UNFORTUNATELY I HAVE A 2007 SATURN ION WHICH SOUNDS LIKE IT IS GOING TO BREAK IN HALF OVER EVEN THE SLIGHTEST SMALL BUMPS IN THE ROAD. I HAVE A WARRANTY ON THE VEHICLE WHICH EXPIRED IN JUNE 2010. ALTHOUGH THE CAR ONLY HAS 29000 MILES ON IT~ SATURN WOULD NOT HONOR THE WARRANTY WHEN I BROUGHT MY CAR IN FOR A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT~ IT WAS THE PURGE SENSOR. THEY WANTED TO CHARGE ME OVER $300 TO REPAIR THIS ISSUE. I WENT ONLINE AND SAW MANY OTHER'S HAD REPORTED THE SAME PROBLEM. I ALSO SAW THE PART FOR ONLY $26.00 ~HOWEVER AT THE SATURN DEALERSHIP THEY CHARGED ME $51.00 FOR THE PART. I ENDED UP FIXING THE REPAIR MYSELF TO AVOID BEING ROBBED BY THE SATURN DEALERSHIP!! I AM VERY DISPLEASED WITH MY CAR~ NOW THE STRUTS AND CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS ARE MAKING SIGNIFICANT RUMBLE WHEN DRIVING OVER THE SLIGHTEST BUMPS IN THE ROAD. AT 29000 MILES THE CAR SHOULD NOT BE MAKING ANY NOISE!! I FEEL VERY UNSAFE AND SCARED IN MY SATURN!! I'VE SEEN MANY REPORTS OF OTHER OWNER'S WITH THE SAME VEHICLE THAT ARE SIMILAR. EVEN THE GM COBALT WHICH HAS THE EXACT SAME PLATFORM AND STEERING HAS THE SAME ISSUES AND FOR THAT CAR POWER STEERING ISSUES HAVE BEEN RECALLED BUT NOT FOR THE ION WHICH ~I REPEAT HAS THE SAME COMPONENTS. I BOUGHT MY CAR WHEN FUEL COSTS SOARED AND THOUGHT IT WOULD AT LEAST LAST ME 5 YEARS WITH OUT ISSUES. I THINK GM NEEDS TO ADDRESS THESE ISSUES ESPECIALLY SINCE SO MANY CONSUMERS ARE EXPERIENCING ISSUES AT SUCH LOW MILEAGE. THERE ARE ALSO ISSUES WITH THE REAR DEFROST, POWER WINDOWS, STEERING, AND TRANSMISSION. I'M FROM MN. AND IT'S TERRIBLE WHEN YOU HAVE A NEWER CAR THAT WON'T EVEN TAKE YOU 30,000 MILES WITHOUT BREAKING DOWN!! I'M VERY DISAPPOINTED AND SATURN NEEDS TO RECALL EVERYTHING ON THESE UNSAFE VEHICLES BEFORE SOMEONE GETS SERIOUSLY HURT ~LIKE TOYOTA. I'M SURE YOU'VE HAD SEVERAL COMPLAINTS. THE CAR IS DEFECTIVE!! PLEASE HELP!! SATURN WON'T REPAIR UNLESS IT'S COMPLETELY BROKEN EVEN IF THE CAR IS SMOKIN THEY BLOW YOU OFF!!! ~HORRIBLE!!!
NHTSA complaint #10343759 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 16,000 miles
Bethlehem, PA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 SATURN ION. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING REPAIRED BY THE DEALER, THE CONTACT COMPLAINED OF A NOISE UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE DRIVERS SIDE LOWER CONTROL ARM BUSHING AND THE ROTORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 22000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 16000. UPDATED 08/11/10. *LJ UPDATED 08/18/10
NHTSA complaint #10335627 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 15,000 miles
East Islip, NY
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 SATURN ION. WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS UNDER 20 MPH THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME EXTREMELY STIFF, WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE STEERING WHEEL WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE ENTIRE STEERING SHAFT. THE ABS WARNING LIGHT WOULD INTERMITTENTLY ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED BRINGING THE VEHICLE IN FOR DIAGNOSIS WHILE THE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE WARNING LIGHT WOULD ONLY ILLUMINATE INTERMITTENTLY AND THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO PRODUCE DIAGNOSTIC CODES WITHOUT IT ILLUMINATED. NO ADDITIONAL REPAIRS WERE MADE TO THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE UNDER 15,000. UPDATED 4/30/10 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE REPAIRS WERE MADE. UPDATED 05/10/10
NHTSA complaint #10316094 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.